Nikita Olegovich Kozhemyako secured the privilege to catch crabs in the Pacific Ocean for another 15 years. The business of the family of the governor of Primorsky Krai seems to be expanding significantly.
.jpg?v1661504840 "Kozhemyako holding a crab")
Just yesterday, an auction took place to allocate quotas for catching 150 tons of crab annually until 2037. Out of 11 companies participating in the auction, Voskhod LLC, owned by Nikita Kozhemyako, emerged as the winner. However, the lot price exceeded the initial one by 21 times, reaching 1.65 billion rubles. Nevertheless, the entrepreneur seemed unfazed by this sum, as Nikita Kozhemyako's business acumen, supported by his father's connections, is likely to quickly recoup the costs.
The journalist from The Moscow Post in Primorsky Krai looked into the specificities.
“Golden” offspring
Kozhemyako Jr. is actively expanding his business: he is listed as a founder in 19 companies, 16 of which are currently in operation, spanning various industries. Undoubtedly, a talented individual in multiple areas.
Photo: rusprofile.ru
Nikita Kozhemyako's primary fish business asset is Tymlatsky Fish Processing Plant LLC, registered in Kamchatka. The enterprise's profit for 2021 was 8.4 billion rubles, compared to 4.5 billion rubles in 2020. Nikita Kozhemyako worked exceptionally efficiently within a year.
Photo: rusprofile.ru
Kozhemyako is also actively involved in the greenhouse business, receiving support from the state bank and the authorities of Primorye. Gas was provided to the governor's son's greenhouses as a result of the asset being included in the gasification program for the regions of Gazprom. The Kozhemyako family possesses strong connections, which one can only envy.
Additionally, there is an asset – LLC “Specialized Motor Transport Enterprise for Wholesale Trade in Medical Products”. KSO Singing Sands LLC operates recreation parks and beaches, offering a place to take a break from such a substantial business.
However, not only Nikita Kozhemyako is involved in important matters and contributing to the family's wealth. His mother, Irina Gerasimenko, currently holds shares in 6 active companies located in Moscow, Kamchatka, and Primorye.
Favor from the Minister
Nevertheless, the business of the Kozhemyako family does not always run smoothly. One of the companies lost a significant dispute to Rosagroleasing. The Moscow arbitration ordered Amur Agro Holding LLC, led by a former minister from Sakhalin, to compensate the state company over 41 million rubles in losses. The trial stemmed from the company's failure to make lease payments for agricultural machinery. Was there any money to make the payments? It seems that all the funds were expended last year on Nikita Kozhemyako's wedding. Previously The Moscow Post covered the extensive nature of the celebration held by the Far Eastern businessman; the cost of the “feast” was estimated at tens of millions of rubles.
Most importantly, the court seized the right to lease hectares of agricultural land in the Amur region. Furthermore, an easement has been established on one of the land plots in the interests of Transneft for the construction of the facility “Expansion of the pipeline system” Eastern Siberia – the Pacific Ocean “. Is this an oil “vein” directly in the property?
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Nikita Kozhemyako took over as the head of “Amur Agro Holding” in July 2020. At that time, the company was bankrupt, with Rosselkhozbank being its main creditor, owed over 500 million rubles. It's worth noting that the bank has strong business connections with the Primorye leadership. Unless the bank forgave other debts, the Kozhemyako family received special privileges.
It's also interesting that when Kozhemyako Sr. became governor, he met with Rosselkhozbank's CEO Boris Listov to enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector. Kozhemyako Sr. then stressed the importance of utilizing leasing schemes for equipment procurement.
Until 2018, Dmitry Patrushev was the bank's head, before becoming the Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. As a government official, Patrushev cannot directly assist the governor's family, as he is affiliated with Rosagroleasing. However, it is possible to clear the debt through the bank. Consequently, Kozhemyako Jr. doesn't need to worry about his millions. What a great collaboration…
Is Patrushev always willing to assist? Image: exp.idk.ru
lobster trade
It's clear how Kozhemyako Jr. overpaid significantly for a crab catching quota in comparison with friends and other companies. Was there an alternative use for these resources? The answer is simple: changes are on the horizon for fishermen, and a new redistribution of the fish market is imminent. Thus, timing was crucial.
The future may involve “Rosrybolovstvo” issuing a requirement for fishermen applying for quotas in the second distribution stage to process a minimum of 70% of fresh fish at coastal factories, with the rest allowed to be frozen.
However, Kozhemyako seemed confident that the resource he acquired would not be part of the second stage of investment quota distribution scheduled for 2023.
Voskhod paid 1.65 billion rubles for quotas, which is 21 times higher than the initial price of 78.22 million rubles. However, the company's net profit in 2021 was 2.6 billion rubles. Was it all or nothing?
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Crab fishing generates high profits, so experienced managers wouldn't invest such a large sum without seeing the potential. Moreover, king crab is mainly exported to Asian countries. With the current risk of suspension of EU and US supplies, targeting the Asian market when purchasing quotas could be profitable.
So, Kozhemyako is set for new opportunities. Some help will come from the governor's father, and influential contacts will aid in settling debts. Hence, the family's fishing business is poised for growth.
